Saxophonist Kenny G Makes Rhythm & Romance Paramount

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

May 23, 2008

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Kenny G’s natural ability to create and set different moods with his music has made him one of the world’s most renowned soprano saxophone players. Performing familiar songs off some of his best-selling albums and debuting new material from his first-ever Latin jazz album Rhythm & Romance, Kenny G will appear at The Paramount Theater on Sunday, June 8 at 8 pm.

This performance is sponsored by SIGNET Gallery. Special Media Sponsor is WCAV CBS 19 Charlottesville.

His first record for Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records, Rhythm & Romance is a rich, one-of-a-kind tapestry of samba and salsa, ballads and bossa nova love songs with the sensual sound of Kenny’s signature saxophone melodies. From the classic ballad “Sabor a Mi” to the romantic “Besame Mucho,” Kenny has created an album unlike any other in his catalogue.

Enamored with the rhythm of Latin music, Kenny and longtime collaborator and producer Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion) set out to find the right instrumentation and arrangements for the romantic Latin melodies that have been swirling around the saxophonist’s head for months. Together they assembled an all-star line-up of Latin musicians including guitarist Ramon Stagnaro, percussionists Michito Sanchez, Paulino Da Costa, Ron Powell and legendary drummer Alex Acuña (Weather Report).

“It’s really about two different music styles coming together to create something completely new,” says Kenny. "The sound of my music is very distinct and so is the sound of these extraordinary musicians. They bring the rhythm and I’m the romance,” the saxophonist jokes.

Over the past three months, Rhythm & Romance debuted at #14 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart and #1 on the Contemporary Jazz Chart, and the first single “Sax-O-Loco” topped the Smooth Jazz Chart.In addition, he has been profiled on CBS Sunday Morning, interviewed on Tavis Smiley, and performed on two of the largest television shows in the Latin Market -- Univision’s Despierta America and Telemundo’s Mas Vale Tarde. On April 6, Kenny performed the National Anthem and material off his new album at The Sony Ericsson Open, which was broadcasted nationally on CBS.

With total global sales of more than 75 million albums, singles and videos, Kenny G  has earned GRAMMY, American Music, Soul Train, World Music and NAACP Image awards as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Rhythm and Romance follows up Kenny G’s 2006 collection of all-instrumental popular material I’m In The Mood For Love…The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time. Prior to that, Kenny released his fourth holiday best-seller The Greatest Holiday Classics, preceded by 2004’s RIAA gold At Last ... The Duets Album.

When pressed about his theory as to why he has been so successful, Kenny offers, “I think my music gives people the opportunity to listen to their own thoughts. Tap into their imaginations. Create their own stories to songs without the limitation of words ... plus it’s a really beautiful instrument.”

Tickets for Kenny G on Sunday, June 8 at 8 pm are $58.50, $61.50, $64.50, and $69.50. Students of all ages may obtain half-price student rush tickets at the Box Office with a valid ID 45 minutes prior to curtain.  Group discounts are also available.

Tickets are available online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333.

For more information about Kenny G , please visit www.kennyg.com or www.myspace.com/kennyg.